Analysis of Apoptosis and the Related mRNA Expression in Behcet’s Disease Patients

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To investigate whether lymphocytes of Behcet’s disease (BD) patients were resistant to activated induced cell death (AICD), and if so, what molecules are responsible for the characteristics. Methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were prepared from 21 BD patients, 6 acute anterior uveitis (AAU) patients, and 8 healthy controls. These lymphocyts were cultured with or without Con A for 48 or 72hrs. Apoptotic cells were analyzed by Annexin V–Cy 5 and Propdium Iodide (P.I) assay. Furthermore, total RNAs were obtained from lymphocytes cultured with or without con A for 24 hrs and the gene expression were analyzed by microarray and real time PCR. Results: AICD was significantly suppressed in BD lymphocytes compared with that of AAU or healthy control, which was exhibitd by . Microarray analysis revealed that 54 genes were upregulated and 29 genes were downregulated in mean gene expression of BD patients. Among them, Bcl–2 expression in activated lymphocytes of BD patients were predominantly higher than that of others. Conclusions: BD lymphocytes were resistant to AICD, which would result in the upregulated Bcl–2 expression.

Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • autoimmune disease • apoptosis/cell death